Senators have urged counties to modernise their markets to boost revenue collection.
The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations chaired by Wajir Senator Mohamed Abass, highlighted that many markets are below standard, resulting in low revenue.
"We need to enhance market infrastructure and redesign our revenue collection methods to increase own-source revenue," Senator Abass emphasised.
This observation was made during the Committee's visit to Bungoma to assess market conditions.
They found that own-source revenue from Bungoma's markets had declined by Sh10 million over the past five years, dropping from over Sh40 million to Sh31 million in the current financial year.
This was revealed when the Committee paid a courtesy call to the Bungoma Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany who was representing Governor Ken Lusaka who was away on official matters.
The visit was prompted by a request from Senator Wafula Wakoli to examine key markets in Bungoma, including Chebkube, Misikhu, Kamukuyua, Matisi, Bukembe, Mateka, Chwele, Kimilili, Cheptais, Sirisia, Kapkateny, Kapsokwany, Kabula, Kanduyi, Mayanja and Mateka.
Senator Wakoli specifically asked the Committee to address issues such as water supply, street lighting, infrastructure, waste management and sanitation in these markets.
Additionally, the Committee was tasked with reviewing all market improvement and expansion projects initiated by the County Government of Bungoma since Financial Year 2017/2018.
It was also tasked with analysing the breakdown of Own Source Revenue (OSR) generated from each market from FY 2018/2019 onwards.
During visits to markets like Chepkube, Kamukuywa and Bukembe, the Committee found common challenges including inadequate water supply, poor drainage, absence of waste disposal sites, lack of auction facilities and outdated slaughterhouses.
Traders at Kamukuywa market appealed to the Senate for completion of a stalled Sh120 million market project.
Senators Richard Onyonka, Hezena Lemaletian, and Oburu Oginga stressed the necessity of improving markets to attract more traders and increase county revenue.
"We should consider constructing multi-storey buildings with spacious facilities including cold storage, daycare centers, and even libraries for traders and their children," Senator Onyonka proposed.
Senator Wakoli assured traders of his commitment to improving all markets in the area for better business operations.